Marae - Te Tatau Pounamu

Film director Robin Walters, known best for his character-driven commercials has something on the side. Like most creatives, his creativity doesn't turn on at 9 am and off at 5 pm. Walters has just produced a book. Marae are the sacred Maori open meeting areas in which Wharenui stand. Wharenui are Maori meeting houses, the centre of any cultural, business or any other affair that's relevant to the Maori tribe (iwi) and its families (hapu).

The Wharenui are often richly hand-carved and can be found throughout New Zealand, to Maori, they embody the history and spirit of their Aoteroa (New Zealand) Maori ancestors. Consequently, Marae are considered important cultural touchstones for both Maori and the nation. 

Walters began what turned into a three-year project because of his own interest in Maori culture, because his wife, Sam Walters, is a photographer and because he is a notable Maori cultural heritage himself.

Walter's dad is Bishop Muru Walters, a very well known Anglican minister, master carver, poet, broadcaster and former Maori All Black. 

Walters visited some of New Zealand's major meeting houses as well as many of the more humbled ones, creating detailed images of their carvings, kowhaiwhai panels and more. Many were photographed during an event and include portraits of elders and caretakers of the Marae, so the images also give a sense of Maori cultural life and activity. The images are accompanied by text that outlines the history of the Marae, and personal anecdotes of the Walters' own encounters during their travel.